Washing machines



July 14, 1959 F. R. SIBBALD WASHING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 30. 1953 w MM U1 0 m m Fade/7 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 30, 1953 July 14, 1959 F. R. SIBBALD 2,894,385

WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 30. 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I n venfor fi (fem/ Roy Sibba d 47 5, ELM

A Item e y July 14, 1959 F. R. SIBBALD 2,894,385

WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 30. 1953 4'Sheets-Sheet 4 I I n vem'or Attorney United Stes Patent I WASHING MACHINES Frederick Roy Sibbald, Greenford, England, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio 7 Application November 30, 1953, Serial No. 395,221

Claims priority, application Great Britain December 1, 1952 3 Claims. (Cl. 68-21) This invention relates to washing machines of the type incorporating a squeeze drier'for squeezing the washing liquid or the rinsing liquid from the clothes.

According to the present invention a washing machine includes a container for washing liquid, an impeller in the container, a driving motor for the impeller, a suction squeeze drier, and a suction pump for producing the suction for operating the squeeze drier, land is characterised in that the suction pump is permanently connected to be driven by the driving motor for the washing impeller. Moreover the washing impeller may also be permanently connected to be driven by the driving motor.

Preferably the squeeze drier is permanently in communication with the inlet to the suction pump and means is provided for admitting air to it at will to release the vacuum.

Thus the drier may include a flexible bag having a movable cover, .and a pressure release valve incorporated in the cover. In one arrangement the cover is carried by a hinged arm to which it is connected by a universal joint, and the pressure release valve is arranged to be opened by a button incorporated in the hinged arm. Where the cover is hinged .to the machine the release valve may be provided with means for automatically closing it when the cover is opened and closed again.

The machine may also include a pump for emptying the washing container, and this may be of centrifugal orother non-positive type permanently connected to the driving motor and provided with means for closing the passage for liquid to or from it to prevent undesired emptying of the container. For example as described in the present applicants British Patent No. 701,977 the outlet from the pump may be connected to a flexible pipe having a storage position in which its free end is closed by a bung fixedto the machine, thereby preventing delivery from the pump.

The invention provides a simple and economical 'arrangement for operating the squeeze drier since the same driving motor serves for both the washing impeller and the suction pump, and if desired also the emptying pump. No clutch is required between the motor and the suction pump and the control is correspondingly simplified by the absence of any operating means for such a clutch. Moreover there is no necessity for an automatic safety valve as would be necessary in the case of a pressureoperated squeeze drier with a continuously rotating pump. Moreover in the case of a pressure pump with a safety valve energy would be continuously wasted in pumping air under pressure through the safety valve, whereas in the case of a suction pump as the suction is established the pump gradually ceases to draw in air on the suction side and accordingly no safety valve is required and no work is done in pumping air against a pressure head. In other words when the suction pump is not actually required to squeeze the clothes it is in one or other of two conditions in either of which it involves no danger and does no work on the ,air. In the one condition with the squeeze drier open or the suction released it is pumping air against no substantial head,

while in the other condition, with the squeeze drier closed and the suction built up to its maximum value, it is working against a head which cannot exceed atmospheric pressure and the delivery of air is zero.

In one form of the invention the machine has a common outlet pipe, which may include a flexible hose, serving both the washing container and the squeeze drier. In this case the delivery from the suction pump is preferably arranged vertically in line with the outlet pipe whilst I bined washing machine and squeeze drier also embodies features claimed in the companion United States patent application Serial No. 395,201, filed November 30, 1953, now Patent No. 2,793,519.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but one specific embodiment will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective ghost view vof a combined washing machine and squeeze drier indicating generally the relative position of the various parts,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine,

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the upper part.

of the squeeze drier and adjacent portions of the washing machine,

Figure 4 is a half under-plan view of the outer lid,

Figure 5 is a half under-plan view of the inner lid,

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation of the tap and drain pipe, and

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation of the release valve.

The invention is shown as applied to a squeeze drier incorporated in a Washing machine comprising a generally rectangular outer casing 10 which has in its upper part a washing machine container 11 on the left, and a squeeze drier 12 on the right.

The washing machine container is of the type described in British Patents Nos. 612,737 and 701,977 having a continuously rotating disc-like impeller 13 in its rear wall driven by an electric motor 14, situated under the container, through pulleys 15 and 16 and a belt 17. The motor 14 also serves to drive an emptying pump 18 of centrifugal type for emptying the container through friction wheels 19 and 20. For operating the squeeze drier the motor also drives a suction pump 21 of the type comprising a single-start screw rotor rotating orbitally in a double-start screw casing formed of rubber. The suction pump is driven through pulleys 22 and 23 and a belt 24.

q The squeeze drier comprises a rubber bag 25 of circular plan shape having a side wall of frusto-conical form merging into a curved bottom wall. As shown in Figure 3 the upper edge of the rubber bag is formed with an outturned flange 26 which rests on the margin of a it. The cast ring is formed with a thickened curved inner periphery 30 to provide a smooth surface for engagement ;with the clothes.

The flange of the rubber bag extends outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the cast ring to provide a sealing surface 33 for the lid assembly, and the platform 27 is stepped and slopes down towards the bag so that this surface is normally wet.

The squeeze drier is provided with a cover, or lid assembly, comprising an outer impervious dished lid 34, which may conveniently be moulded from synthetic resin, having near its periphery a rib 35 engaging the sealing surface 33 of the rubber bag to form an air-tight seal. As shown in Figure 4, the inner surface of the outer lid is formed with a grid of ribs 36 and a number of bosses 37. Within the outer lid 34 is an inner lid 38 of pressed aluminium which has in it a number of perforations 39 and which engages the outer lid at a number of points distributed over its area corresponding to the bosses 37. The inner lid is formed with indentations 40 which are pressed out towards the outer lid in the spaces between the ribs 36, so as to reduce the total space between the lids, which, as described below, has to be evacuated by the suction pump. The inner lid is secured to the outer lid by four screws (not seen) passing through holes 41 into the four adjacent bosses 37.

Thus when suction is applied to the space between the outer and inner lids the pressure of the clothes upon the inner lid will be transmitted directly through the bosses 37 to the outer lid and will partly balance the pressure of the atmosphere on the outside of the latter. The bosses, and hence the points of contact, are sufficiently close together to ensure that there are no large unsupported areas of the lids upon which the pressure might be such as to overload the material, bearing in mind that the total force on a lid, a foot in diameter may amount to over 1500 pounds.

At one point of its circumference the cast ring 28 has in it an opening and the platform 27 has in it a slot to register with a pipe connection 45 moulded integrally with the flange 26 of the rubber bag. To this pipe connection 45 is secured a flexible suction pipe 46 leading to the suction side of the suction pump. Alternatively the pipe connection may be formed on the cast ring 28 and arranged to pass through a hole in the flange of the rubber bag.

The lid assembly is supported by a pivoted arm 50 carried by a pivot 51 so that it can be conveniently swung away from the rubber bag. For this purpose the outer lid is formed with a part-spherical convex surface 52 cooperating with a corresponding concave surface 53 afforded by the arm, to afford a universal joint, which is also arranged to accommodate a valve for releasing the vacuum. To this end a metal valve sleeve 54 is moulded into an opening in the outer lid at the centre of the partspherical surface and passes through a larger opening in the corresponding surface of the arm, and carries a spring spider 55 bearing upon the upper side of the latter surface so as to hold the two part-spherical surfaces together. The upper end 56 of the valve sleeve 54 forms a seating for a valve member 57 which slides within it. The valve member may be moulded from synthetic resin and has an outwardly directed flange 58 at its upper end, and is surrounded by a packing ring 59 lying against this flange and engaging the seating 56 at the upper end of the sleeve 54-. A compression spring 60 is interposed between the valve member 57 and an opposed top wall 61 of the arm so as to tend to keep the valve closed. The lower part of the valve member 57 has in it a diametral slot 62 so that when it is raised to its open position as shown in Figure 7 air can flow across the seating 56 into the slot 62 and down through the sleeve 54 into the rubber bag to release the vacuum.

In order to open the valve a pivoted release lever 65 is incorporated in the arm 50 and as shown in Figure 3 has a portion near its middle resting on a ridge 66 to form a fulcrum. One end 67 has project on engaging below the flange 58 of the valve member 57 so as to be capable of lifting the latter, whilst the other end 68 has a button 69 projecting through an opening in the upper wall of the pivoted arm 50 so that it can be depressed by the thumb of the user to open the valve.

A longitudinally movable latch link 70 extends from a point adjacent this end of the release lever to a point near the pivot 51 of the pivoted arm 50, where it is pivoted to one arm 71 of a small bell crank 72 on the pivot 51 of the pivoted arm 50. The bell crank is acted on by a spring (not seen) so that when the button is depressed to open the valve the bell crank will turn so as to thrust the latch link 70 over the end 68 of the release lever 65 and hold the latter in its depressed con dition thereby keeping the valve open. When the lid assembly is raised the other arm 74 of the bell crank engages a fixed stop 75 which causes it to turn relatively to the pivoted arm 50 thereby withdrawing the latch link and allowing the valve to close again. A spring 76 surrounds the pivot 51 tending to raise the arm 50 so as partly to counterbalance the weight of the lid assembly.

Accordingly the vacuum may be broken at any time by pressing the button on the latch lever and the release valve will then remain open. If, however, the lids are opened this will automatically close the release valve and there is no fear that the user, having inserted a new load of clothes in the rubber bag and closed the cover, will omit to close the valve so that the pump will operate without squeezing the water from the clothes.

As shown in Figure 6 a delivery pipe 78 from the emptying pump 18 and a delivery pipe 79 from the suction pump 21 communicate with a common outlet pipe 80, comprising a vertical rigid connection 81, arranged to swivel in a fixed socket 82, and a flexible hose 83. The hose is formed with an elbow 84 near its end ad jacent the swivel joint so that in its normal condition it extends horizontally and by means of the swivel joint can be projected over the washing machine container or over the back of the machine or elsewhere.

The delivery pipe 79 of the suction pump opens upwardly in line with the socket 82, while the delivery pipe 78 from the emptying pump extends upwardly alongside that of the suction pump to a tap 88 mounted near and above the upper part of the Washing machine container. The tap comprises a fixed rubber washer 89 and a stem 90 having at its lower end a head or cup- 91 to engage the washer and a helical compression spring 92 bearing on the head to keep the tap closed. The stem passes through a fixed body 93 and at its upper end carries a handle 94. The body and handle are formed with steps 95 and 96 which co-operate to keep the tap open when the handle is raised and turned as shown in Figure 6.

From the tap a branch connection 97 extends laterally to the delivery pipe 79 of the suction pump so that when the tap is opened water emptied from the Washing machine container is delivered to the outlet hose but some of it may trickle down into the suction pump. This tends to ensure that there is generally some liquid in the latter and this improves the operation of the pump which is of mono type. The body 93 of the tap is mounted on a ledge or shelf 98 at the back of the Washing machine container so that any leakage from it will merely flow straight back into the washing machine container.

In order to prevent water from being slowly drawn back into the rubber bag 25 through the suction pump 21 if the motor is left switched off without the vacuum being released, a non-return valve 99 comprising a rubber-clad ball is provided in the delivery pipe 79 of the suction pump. When the motor is running and air is being delivered from the suction pump, the ball will be lifted from its seating and will not prevent a small quantity of water from seeping down the delivery pipe to lubricate and seal the suction pump, but if the machine is left for an appreciable time with the motor switched E and suction still applied to a load of clothes that has been squeezed, the rubber ball will close and prevent water that may be in the outlet pipe 80 from being gradually drawn through any clearance in the suction pump back into the clothes in the bag.

The arrangement described is convenient and efiective. The use of suction for the squeeze drier eliminates any danger of bursting and the particular partially balanced arrangement of the lids ensures that whilst the bulk of the atmospheric pressure is balanced by the pressure of the clothes, there is a sufficient resultant to ensure a reliable seal at the edge of the lid.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A Washing machine comprising: a container for a washing liquid, a liquid pump having an inlet connected to said washing container for emptying the latter and also having a delivery conduit to discharge the water removed from said container, a suction squeeze drier, a suction pump having an inlet at all times connected to said drier to operate the latter and provided with a delivery conduit to discharge water removed from said drier, a motor permanently connected to said pumps, common conduit means connecting said delivery conduits, valve means controlling flow of liquid through said liquid pump delivery conduit to prevent undesired emptying of said washing container, said valve means arranged with respect to said common conduit means to prevent reverse flow of water from said suction pump delivery conduit into said liquid pump delivery conduit, and means for relieving the suction in said drier to pre vent flow of liquid through said suction pump delivery conduit.

2. A washing machine as described in claim 1, and said liquid pump delivery conduit terminating at the top of said washing container, and said valve means so located with respect to the top of said container that any leakage from said valve means will flow into the Washing container.

3. A washing machine as described in claim 1, a washing impeller in said container, means permanently connecting said motor to said impeller, whereby said impeller, liquid pump and suction pump are constantly driven while said motor is operating.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,926,378 Getz Sept. 12, 1933 2,023,215 Yandell Dec. 3, 1935 2,049,057 Geldhof et a1. July 28, 1936 2,064,787 Ducker Dec. 15, 1936 2,093,589 Geldhof et a1 Sept. 21, 1937 2,612,769 Castner Oct. 7, 1952 2,641,916 Johnson June 16, 1953 2,652,709 Bowen Sept. 22, 1953 2,666,315 Abresch Jan. 19, 1954 2,680,366 Jones et a1. June 8, 1954 2,692,494 Candor Oct. 26, 1954 2,723,550 Belaiefl? Nov. 15, 1955 2,759,348 Gibson Aug. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 684,466 Great Britain Dec. 17, 1952 

